As usual a lot of people were present in Akbar's durbar.A famous astrologer had come from a far away country.He was talking about the Solar System and the Earth's shape.At one point Akbar said, "If the earth is round, and if one travel strait towards one direction, he will come back to the same spot from where he has started the journey.""Theoretically it is correct", said the astrologer."Why not in real life?", asked the king."One has to cross oceans, mountains and forests to keep the path straight." the astrologer said. "Sail through the oceans, make tunnels in the mountains and use elephants to cross the forests." Akbar found the solution."Still it is impossible" said the astrologer."Why?" Asked Akbar."It may take years to complete the whole journey" said the astrologer"Years? How many?" asked Akbar."I don't know. May be a hundred years or more" said the astrologer"Don't worry I will ask my ministers. They have an answer for everything" Akbar looked at the ministers."Impossible to calculate""Around 25 years""Fifty years or less""80 days""Why Birbal, you haven't uttered a word" the king showed his surprise at Birbal's silence. "I was just calculating the time required to go round the earth" explained Birbal."And did you get the answer?" asked the king."Sure." Said Birbal "It will take just one day.""Just one day! Birbal it is Impossible! Even it will take more than one day to cross our country." Said Akbar."It is possible. Provided you travel at the speed of the Sun" said Birbal with a smile.

Once while Vishnu and Brahma were quarrelling about which of them was superior to the other, Shiva, in the form of a column of light,appeared beside them. The column seemed to have no beginning or end, stretching upwards and downwards as far as the eye could see. The two gods decided that whoever found the top or the bottom of the column first would be deemed to be superior to the other.So they set out, Vishnu in the form of a boar, and Brahma in the form of a swan. Vishnu descended for aeons together, but could not find the base of the column, and finally gave up the search. Brahma, soaring upwards, was equally unsuccessful in reaching the top. He saw a ketaki flower wafting down, and catching it, returned to the starting point where Vishnu was waiting for him.

Then followed a spot of duplicity. Brahma, claiming success, waved the flower, which he said he had found at the summit, in Vishnu’s face. Vishnu doubted his claim. He asked the ketaki if what Brahma said was true. The flower said it was. The barefaced lie infuriated Shiva, and he cursed the flower (another version says the flower refused to substantiate Brahma’s claim and that it was Brahma who cursed it). The ketaki, till then considered the best among flowers, lost its importance and was never again offered in worship except on Mahashivratri when it makes a shy appearance.

Many tales are told about Neptune the Roman god of the sea. Neptune was said to be one of the most generous of the gods.One day a woman who lived close to the sea went down to the beach and began singing songs in his praise. Finally the god came to the surface and asked her what she wanted.“I want a cow,” said the woman.The next moment there was a cow standing beside her. The woman was thrilled. She began singing another song. At the end of it there was another cow beside her. The woman went on singing and every time she stopped for breath there would be another cow on the beach. The beach was small and so as the number of cows started growing it started getting crowded. Finally there was just enough room for her to stand. Yet the woman was not satisfied. There was a large rock at her feet. She felt that if she removed the rock there would be place for one more cow there. So she picked it up and summoning all her strength heaved it into the sea. Unfortunately for her, Neptune himself was coming to the surface at that moment to bestow his blessings on his devotee. The rock hit him on the head. The god was so angry he dived back into the waters taking with him all the cows he had given the woman.

This is one more interesting story from the Hitopadesha Tales. Once upon a time, there lived a Lion by the name of Madotkata in a forest. Among his followers, a Jackal, a Crow and a Wolf had developed friendship with him. However, all the three had a selfish motive behind this so-called friendship. They knew that the Lion was the King of the forest and friendship with such fierce creature would always help them. To meet their selfish ends, they started obeying and were always available at the service of the Lion.

They didn’t have to make any efforts to search for their food, as the Lion used to give his leftover meals to them. Moreover, they became powerful as they were next to the King of the forest. So like this, all the three selfish friends were passing their days happily being the friends of the Lion. One day, a Camel, who came from some distant land, lost his way and entered the same forest where these friends lived. He tried his best to find out the way, but could not make it.

In the meantime, these three friends happened to pass through the same way where the Camel was wandering. When they saw the Camel, at once it came to their mind that he didn’t belong to their forest. The Jackal suggested to his other two friends, “Let’s kill and eat him”. The Wolf replied, “It is a big animal. We could not kill him like this. I think, first we should inform our King about this Camel”. The Crow agreed upon the idea given by the Wolf. After deciding, all of them went to meet the Lion.

On reaching the Lion’s den, the Jackal approached the Lion and said, “Your Majesty, an unknown Camel has dared to enter your kingdom without your consent. His body is full of flesh and he could make a nice meal for us. Let’s kill him”. The Lion roared loudly on hearing this and said, “What are you saying? The Camel has come for refuge in my kingdom. It is unethical to kill him like this. We should provide him the best shelter. Go and bring him to me”. All of them got dispirited to hear such words from the King.

They unwillingly went to the Camel and told him about the desire of the Lion, who wanted to meet him. The Camel was scared to know about the strange offer. He thought that his last moment had come and in a little while he would become the meal of the Lion. As he couldn’t even escape, so he decided to meet the Lion and left everything on the destiny. The selfish friends escorted the Camel to the Lion’s den. The Lion was happy to see the Camel. He welcomed him warmly and assured him of all the safety in the forest during his stay.

The Camel was totally amazed to hear the Lion’s words. He got very happy and started living with the Jackal, the Crow and the Wolf. One day, when the Lion was hunting for food, he had a struggle with a mighty Elephant. The Lion got badly injured in the struggle and became incapable of hunting for his food. Stricken by bad luck, the Lion had to sustain without food for days. Due to this, his friends too had to go hungry for days as they totally depended on the Lion’s kill for their food. But the Camel was satisfied grazing around in the forest.

All the three friends got worried and discussed the matter among them. On reaching a conclusion, they approached the Lion and said, “Your Majesty, you are getting weak day by day. We can’t see you in this wretched condition. Why don’t you kill the Camel and eat him?” The Lion roared, “No. How can you think such thing? He is our guest and we should not kill him. Don’t give such suggestions to me in future”. As the jackal, the crow and the wolf had set their evil eyes on the camel; they met once again and devised a plan to kill the Camel.

They went to the Camel and said, “Dear Friend, you know our King has not eaten anything from the past many days. He is unable to go for hunting due to his wounds and sickness. Under such circumstances, it becomes our duty to sacrifice ourselves to save the life of our king. Come with us, we will offer our bodies to make his food”. The Camel didn’t understand their plan, but innocently he nodded in favor of their plan. All of them approached the den of the Lion.

First of all, the Crow came forward and said, “Your Majesty, we didn’t succeed in getting any food for you. I can’t see you like this. Please eat me and make me obliged”. The Lion replied, “Dear, I will prefer to die than to perform such a sinful deed”. Then, the Jackal came forward and said, “Your Majesty, Crow’s body is too small to satisfy your appetite. I offer myself to you, as it is my duty to save your life”. The Lion politely rejected the offer. As per the plan, now it was the turn of the Wolf to offer himself to the King.

So, the Wolf came forward and said, “Your Majesty, Jackal is quite small to gratify your hunger. I offer myself for this kind job. Please kill me and satisfy your hunger”. After saying this, he lay prostrate before the Lion. But the Lion didn’t kill any of them. The Camel, who was watching the whole scene felt reassured of his safety and also decided to go forward and complete the formality. He marched forward and said, “Your Majesty, why don’t you kill me. You are my friend. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Please allow me to offer you my body”.

The Lion found the offer quite appropriate, as the Camel himself had offered his body for food, his ethics were maintained. The Lion attacked the Camel at once, ripped open his body and tore him into pieces. The Lion and his friends ate the delicious flesh to their fill. They feasted on the poor Camel for days together.

The Empress was very fond of her dear brother Suleman Khan. She wanted the prestigious post of Wazir for her brother. However, the Wazir’s post was occupied by Birbal. The Empress was well aware that Birbal was a brilliant courtier and was apple of Akbar’s eye. Nevertheless, she decided to plead with the Emperor for her brother. In the evening, when Akbar returned to the palace, the empress said, “Jahanpanah my brother is an able person. Besides this, he is your relative. He must get prestigious post of Wazir.”

The Emperor exclaimed, “Begum, Wazir’s post requires extraordinary intelligence and vast administrative experience. Your brother is novice in this field. Besides this there in no negative reason to remove Birbal.” The Empress was adamant. She sternely replied, “Jahanpanah, if there is no reason, then get some excuse for his removal. Give him some work which he could not do.”

The puzzled Emperor asked, “Cite me some job for him which he probably could not do.”

Hmm! “Begum thought for some time and then said, “Jahanpanah, tomorrow evening while walking in the palace garden, you ask Birbal to call me from my palace. He will never succeed in his task. And then there will be at least one reason for his removal.”

The Emperor agreed. The Empress was very much sure that Birbal would certainly fail this time, as he could not force her to appear in the palace garden.

On the next day when Akbar was strolling in the garden, Birbal accompanied him as per the practice. The Emperor pretended to be disturbed. Birbal asked Akbar the reason for his worry. Akbar said, “Birbal, the Empress has displeased with me and refuses to talk. You know how much I love her here.”

Birbal agreed and left from there. He at once approached Begum in the palace. Begum was waiting for his arrival. Birbal said, “Begum Sahiba, the Emperor is in the palace garden. He wanted you there –!“ Hardly has he completed his sentence a messenger entered the chamber and whisphered something in the ear of Birbal. A few whispering words fell in the ears of begum, “……..very beautiful………No ………no! no need to come……..!” the messenger then left. Birbal then turned towards begum and said. “Begum Sahiba, sorry for the trouble, now you are no more required there.”

Birbal was gone but the whispering sound was still resounding in the ear of Begum. “about whom the messenger was saying - -, it seems a beautiful maiden - - but what she is doing in the garden? It seems because of her Emperor stopped me from coming there ----- !” thought the Empress who was badly disturbed and suspicious. She kept on thinking for a long time. At last unable to bear her distress and envy, she rushed towards the garden. When she reached there, she found Akbar alone. Seeing her there, the Emperor asked, “Begum, you had vowed to force Birbal fail this time. But it seems the whole thing turned in the favour of Birbal.”

The Empress was ashamed, “ I have been fooled by Birbal. Once again Birbal succeeded. However, I accept his wisdom and take back my words. I will never pressurize you to remove Birbal from his post as he is the most suitable person for it.”

Once the Empress pressurized the Emperor to appoint her brother, Gulam Sheikh as the ‘Wasir’. Succumbed to her pressure, the Emperor removed Birbal from the ‘Wasir’s’ post and appointed Gulam Sheikh in his place.

The king of Iran always envied the great Emperor Akbar, whose court was studded with wonderful gems. The king of Iran knew it very well that Birbal was unparallel to his brilliance. When the Iranish Emperor received the news of Birbal’s removal from the ‘Wasir’s’ post, he at once sent a messenger with a message. The messager was also carrying a few pots with him.

The messenger came to the court off Akbar and read the message, “I’ve heard a lot about your wise courtiers. I need few pots of wisdom for my own use. Please send the pots filled with wisdom. In case, it’s not there then you please send the empty pots to me”

The Emperor assigned the responsibility of solving the puzzle to Gulam Sheikh. Gulam Sheikh was totally perplexed with the message. He spend many sleepless nights but could not understand what he should do?

At last, Gulam Sheikh went to his sister, the Empress and said. “I’m tried of the Wasir’s responsibility. I don’t want this anymore.”

Gulam Sheikh accepted in front of his sister that he was unable to solve the puzzle, which went sent by the Iranish Emperor. The worried Empress asked herself, “What will happen, if the solution is not sent?”

Finally the Empress called Birbal and sought his help. After listening to the whole episode, Birbal took all the pots in his possession. He then called the royal gardener and asked him to sow few seeds of pumpkin in the garden. When the plants grew and small fruits came on the plants, Birbal gave the pots to the gardener and asked him to place a small fruit in each pot without plucking it from the plant. Birbal instructed the gardener to allow the pumpkin to grow inside the pots.

After a few months, the pumpkin grew into full size and ultimately filled the entire space of empty pots. Birbal then plucked the pumpkins from their plants. He called the royal messenger and asked him to take back the pots to the Iranian Emperor. He also sent a message with the pots, “As per your wish, we are sending a small amount of wisdom. Its filled in the pots. Please take it out with breaking the pots.”

The messenger reached Iran with the pots. He presented the pots to the Emperor and read the message. After listening to the message and looking at the pots, the Emperor murmured. “It seems, Birbal is reappointed as ‘Wazir’. It can’t be Gulam Sheikh’s wisdom.”

The messenger returned to the court of Akbar. He narrated the whole episode. When the Empress came to know about it, she at once told the Emperor to reappoint Birbal at ‘Wazir’s’ post.

Devayani was the beautiful daughter of Shukracahrya, preceptor to the Asuras, the demons. Shukracharya knew the secret of Mritasanjibani that brings back to life the Asuras, killed in the war with the gods, the devas. The devas also wanted to know the secret of Mritasanjibani. So they sent Kacha, the handsome son of Brihaspati, preceptor to the Devas, to fall in love with Devayani. This is the story of Kacha and Devayani and how the devas learnt the secret of Mritasanjibani.

Feature story

Long ago, the Devas and the Asuras fought all the time for the lordship of the three worlds. The Asuras were care free and happy as long as Shukracharya, their preceptor, was with them. The valiant Devas, tired of the unequal struggle, went to Kach, the handsome son of Brihaspati, preceptor of the Devas and asked him to go to Shukracharya and learn the secret of Mritasanjibani.

The obedient and dutiful Kacha immediately set out to meet Shukracharya. He humbly presented himself before the great wise man, introduced himself as the son of Brihaspati, and asked to become his disciple.

Shukracharya was a true teacher. He immediately recognized Kacha’s brilliance as a student. Shukracharya did not differentiate between his students. He gave Kacha a warm welcome and accepted him as his pupil.

Shukracharya had a daugher, Devayani, whom he loved dearly. He introduced Kacha to his daughter saying, "Kacha has vowed to be my pupil till the period of his studies is over."

All learning in those days was handed down by word of mouth. The pupil lived with his guru's family as one of the household. In return for his education, the pupil served his guru with love and devotion. However, Shukracharya was very busy either at court or he was deep in meditation. So Kacha helped Devayani with her daily chores and watched after her.

Within a few days of his arrival, Kacha found himself spending all his leisure hours in the company of the lively Devayani. Devayani was slowly drawn towards Kacha and they fell in love.

Shukracharya liked Kacha because he was an attentive disciple.

As the years passed, the Asuras became suspicious of Kacha. They wanted to get rid of him. One day as Kacha was attending Shukracharya’s cattle, the Asuras fell upon him and slew him. Then they cut him into pieces and fed his flesh to their dogs.

When Kacha did not come home at the normal hour, Devayani became alarmed. When the cattle came back without Kacha she ran in a panic to her father and told him that Kacha was missing. Shukracharya closed his eyes and to the great relief of Devayani, Kacha came back to life and appeared before her. When Devayani inquired about his disappearance, Kacha tried to explain in a puzzled voice, "I was killed by the Asuras but I do not know how I came back to life?" Shukracharya just smiled.

The love between Kacha and Devayani grew day by day. The Asuras were worried. They guessed right, Kacha was there to learn the secret of Mritasanjibani.

One day Devayani asked Kacha to get her a particular flower that only grows in the deep forest. Kacha went for it. The Asuras followed him and once again killed him. But this time they carried his body to a secluded spot, grounded up into a paste, and dissolved it in the water of the ocean.

Devayani waited and waited. When Kacha did not return she went again to her father. Shukracharya meditated and once again used the secret knowledge to revive Kacha. Devayani was overjoyed.

The Asuras were now at their wits end. "How can we kill Kacha? Every time we kill him, his guru brings him to life!"

They went to one of the senior Asuras and asked him how to destroy Kacha for good. The senior Asura gave them an idea. The next day, when Kacha went out with the cattle, they again slew him. This time then burnt him in the jungle. Then they took the ashes home and mixed it in a wine which Shukracharya was very fond of. They took the drink to Shukracharya for a taste. Shukracharya loved it. He immediately drank it and blessed the Asuras.

When the cattle once again returned home without Kacha Devajani knew what had happened.

"Will Kacha ever be mine?" she asked herself "The Asuras will never leave him alone!"

She went to Shukracharya and wept. "Father, without Kacha I am as good as dead, please bring him back to life."

Shukracharya waited for a while thinking. "It is no good to bring Kacha to life. The Asuras will only kill him again. "

He tried to console his daughter, "It is futile Devajani to bring Kacha to life. The Asuras are determined to get rid of him. A wise soul, like you, should not grieve at a loved one's death. You are young and beautiful and you have your own life to live."

But Devajani was adamant. So strong was her love for Kacha.

" Father” she said, “Kacha was your best student. I am in love with him. I can not live without him."

Devajani stopped eating. Shukracharya could no longer bear to see his daughter in such agony. Again Shukracharya used his secret knowledge and called upon Kacha to come back to the world of the living. Kacha came back to life and spoke from inside the stomach of Shukracharya.

"The Asuras killed me but I do not know how I happen to be inside your stomach?" echoed Kach.

Shukracharya cursed himself for drinking the wine given by the Asuras. "Henceforth, wine shall be forbidden for those engaged in the pursuit of wisdom," declared Shukracharya in great frustration. Now Shukracharya had a real dilemma of his own. He could ask Kacha to come out but that would mean his own death.

When he told Debjani of his dilemma she was again adamant, "Father, I can not live if either of you dies."

After long deliberation Shukracharya thought of a way out. He knew now the real purpose of Kacha's visit. He addressed Kacha, "I now see why you came and truly you have succeeded. There is only one way by which both of us can ensure Devayani's happiness. I will have to teach you the craft of Mritasanjivani.

With his new knowledge Kacha emerged from Shukracharya's dying body and then immediately brought his guru back to life. Shukracharya could not have been happier with his pupil's progress.

When the Asuras came to offer him wine, Shukracharya shouted, "You fools! Kacha now knows my secret. You helped him learn by your foolish deeds. But rest assured Kacha will continue to live with me because of his love for Devayani.

But Shukracharya was wrong. Kacha too faced the troubling dilemma. Waiting for the period of his studies to come to an end, Kacha kept silent. While his love for Devayani was deep, his sense of duty towards the devas was no less strong.

On the last the day of his studies, Kacha went to Shukracharya for his blessing. As a wise man and a dedicated teacher, Shukracharya concealed his grudge against Kacha but he was wondering how Kacha was going to bid farewell to Devayani.

Devayani waited for Kacha to propose marriage. But when Kacha broke the heart-breaking news that he was going to fulfill his obligations to his own people, her joy turned to tears. Devayani pleaded with Kacha to take her as his wife. But Kacha replied, "Peerless one! I was reborn in your father's stomach. I am therefore your brother. I can't marry you. I must return to heaven."

The broken-hearted Devayani cried out in her grief. She accused Kacha of using her to attain his goal. Distort she cursed Kacha, "You will never be able to use the craft of Mritasanjivani."

Kacha quietly listened and then spoke, "Devayani, it is wrong to curse me. I could have walked away without reviving your father. There is no doubt that my love was sincere and truthful. But, I also have a duty to perform towards my own people. Because of your unfairness to me, I am cursing you. No Rishi's son will ever marry you. I may still teach the craft of Mritasanjivani to others, even though I may not be able to use it myself." Saying this Kacha departed for the abode of Indra, king of the Devas. Shukhacharya gently led Devayani away.

With the passage of time, Devayani completely forgot about Kacha. She once again became playful and lived happily with her father and her playmates in the city of Vrishaparva, king of the Asuras. Of her playmates, the most important was princess Sharmistha, the daughter of king Vrishaparva. In our next story we will tell how Devayani fought with Sharmistha and married king Yayati, a Kshitriya, who belonged to the warrior race.

Ahilya was the wife of sage Gautama. Both lived happily in his ashram spending their days in peace and holy meditation. One day during the sage's absence from the ashram, Indira, filled with unholy desires for the beautiful Ahilya, entered the ashram disguised as Gautama and approached the lady. She was not deceived by the impersonation, but vain of her beauty and proud that it had won her the love of lord of the celestials, she lost her judgement and yielded to his desire.

When the sin had been committed, realising the fierce spiritual energy of her betrayed husband, she warned Indira of his terrible peril and begged him to be gone in the instant. Indira was fleeing in guilty panic, when he bumped into the rishi who was just returning from his ablutions. The sage immediately guessing as to what had happened looked loathfully at Indira.

The sage was very angry and cursed Indira that he would loose his manhood immediately, as a punishment for the sin he had committed. As soon as the rishi spoke these words, Indira became a eunuch.

Then the sage turned to his erring wife and said, "living on air, you shall stay here, unseen by anyone. After a long time, Dasaratha's son will pass this way. When he sets foot in this ashram, you will be freed from the curse. " The sage then left his ashram for Himalayas to engage himself in austerities there.

As years passed by Ahilya remained in the ashram as a stone idol over which vegetation grew up with time. One day Lord Rama, son of King Dashratha accompanies by Lakshman happened to pass by the Ashram. He was on his way to Mithila. When he saw the ashram and its poor condition, he was curious about the place. In order to find out more he stepped into the ashram. And the moment Rama set his foot in the Ashram, the curse was lifted and Ahalya stood before them in all her beauty free from the curse that her husband had inflicted on her.

Prince Shantanu was the son of king Prateep of Hastinapur. Even before the prince was born, Prateep had prayed to the divine River Ganga to marry his son and bless his household. Ganga had appeared before him and promised him that she will marry his son but on one condition. The son would have to marry her without asking her any questions and would have to accept all that she did. The day he would question her actions she would leave him.

Prateep agreed to the conditions. When his son Shantanu grew up, his father told him that a divine woman will come to him seeking to be his wife. Saying this he left his kingdom to become an ascetic. One day Shantanu reached the banks of River Ganga while on a hunt. He saw a beautiful, ethereal lady sitting on the banks of the river. He stared at her and fell in love with her almost instantly. Shantanu, immediately asked her to marry him. The lady agreed and put up a condition. She said that she will marry him and live with him only if he promised not to question her actions, and let her do whatever she wished to do. Shantanu agreed readily and married her.

Years rolled by and they lived happily. Only one thing troubled Shantanu. Whenever a child was born to them, his wife would drown the child in the river. Shantanu could not bottle his grief at the loss of his seven sons. When the eighth son was born and Ganga again took the infant to drown him, Shantanu could bear it no longer. He asked his wife, "Why do you kill these infants?" Ganga looked at her husband with sad eyes and told him that he had spoken too soon. If he had held his peace a little longer then Ganga would have told him all that he wanted to know and would live with him forever. She told him that she was the daughter of Saint Jahnu and that she was the holy River Ganga. She had drowned the seven children and wanted to drown the eighth one too as she was trying to rid them of a curse. She told him that they were the eight divine Vasus who were cursed so that they were to be born as humans. She was helping them get rid of the curse and as by questioning her before she could drown the last one he had broken his promise, he would have to look after his son as she would leave him. Saying this she left him and went to her heavenly abode. This eight son of Ganga and Shantanu was called Devvrata and was later known as Bheeshma.

Let us enjoy reading this Hindu Mythological Story of The Origin of Coconut Tree.

King Trishanku was a saintly man whose one great desire was to ascend bodily into heaven.He had once done a good turn to sage Vishwamitra and the sage decided to help him fulfill his desire.

Accordingly, he performed a yagna and Trishanku began to rise heavenwards.

When Indra, King of the gods, saw Trishanku at the gates of Heaven, he was furious and catching hold of him, threw him down. Vishwamitra saw Trishanku hurtling downwards and shouted:"Let Trishanku stay where he is now!"

Trishanku’s fall was arrested. As Indra would not let him ascend into heaven and Vishwamitra would not allow him to come down, Trishanku became suspended between heaven and earth.

Folklore has expanded this mythological story to explain the origin of the coconut tree: Vishwamitra knew that Trishanku would eventually fall to earth unless held up by physical means, so he propped him up with a long pole.

The pole eventually turned into a coconut tree and Trishanku’s head became its fruit. The fibre around the coconut is Trishanku’s beard. When you take it off, you see his eyes peering at you.